Hook and eye fastening device



Dec. 8, 1964 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 J. B. MICELI HOOK AND EYE FASTENING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Joseph B. Miceli BY Um). Exfiww ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1964 J. B. MlCELl 3,159,843

HOOK AND EYE FASTENING DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (INVENTOR Joseph B. M iceli FIGJO.

BY QM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,159,843 HGGK AND EYE FASTENENG DEVICE loseph Ii. Miceli, Gabriele Drive, East Norwich, NI?!- rnea Sept. 4, I962, Ser. No. 221,163 Illaims. ((Il. ll--3Z5) This invention relates to hook and eye fastening devices and more particularly to a manually operated tool of this character which can be interchangeably utilized for securing either a hook or an eye to fiexible sheet material.

The invention has for its primary object, the provision of a hook and eye fastening device the function thereof being to facilitate and expedite the securement of either a hook or an eye to flexible fabric material, either unitable member being readily applied to the material through an interlocking arrangement with a second unitable member, said second unitable member being common to both hook and eye.

"Another object of the'invention is to provide a hook and eye applicator of the instant character. whereby slight pressure is capable of securely uniting either a hook or an eye unitable member and a backing plate,

sheet material being securely wedged therebetween A further object'of the present invention is the provision of an applicator which can be conveniently loaded with a pair of unitable members and whereby closure means associated with a loading opening functions to lock one unitable member in position pending the fastening operation. I

A still further object of the instant invention is" the provision of a new and useful applicator for fastening a pair of suitable members to sheet material accomplishing the objectives noted above, which applicator is of extremely simple construction, economical of manufacture, and highly reliable in operation.

-It will be understood that the foregoing general objectives and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described. The accompanying drawings referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with'description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the hook and eye fastening device; I

FIGURE 2 is an isolated and exploded perspective view of the pair of anchor members normally assembled in superposed relation within the upper housing of the.

device; 1 r l v I FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper housing including the anchor, members in operatively positioned superposed relation, a hook member being positioned therebetween; I

I FIGURE 4'isa cross-sectional view as shown in FIG- URE 3, aneye member being-positioned in lieu of said.

'hookmember; Y

I FIGURE 5. is a perspective View of ing platein explodedrelation;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an eye and backing plate inexploded relation; I I FIGURE '7 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the hook and eye fastening device;

' FIGURE 8 .is a view of the 'deviceasshownFIG- URE 7, a unitable member, a backing plate 'andia sheet I 'of flexible material being operatively positioned therein;

FIGURE'9 is a cross-sectionalview of the device upon completion of the fastening operation; and

FIGURE 10' is a cross-sectional viewof the unitable members fastened to a sheet of flexible material.

' Referring now in detail to the present preferred ema hook andbackbodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the hook and eye fastening device designated generally by numeral 1, FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 being cross-sectional operational views thereof.

Consonant with the foregoing objectives, the device according to the present invention is capable of interlocking a hook member and a backing plate or an eyememher and a backing plate to a fabric, either operation being accomplished therewith. FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings illustrate both pairs of unitable members, respectively, prior to securement to the fabric. The hook member 2 is comprised of a base 4 which has a pair of downwardly extending prongs 6, 6 formed thereon. The prongs 6, d extend through the fabric sheet material 8 (FIGURES 7, 8 and 9) and through a suitably apertured backing plate It} and are clinched on the opposite side thereof. Formed integrally with the base 4 is a hook 12 which is bent over the said base, an aperture 14 being provided centrally at the bend region. The eye member Id is of generally U-shaped configuration and is comprised of a substantially rectangular body 18 and downwardly depending generally parallel legs 20, 20 formed integrally at opposite ends of said body.

The aforementioned backing plate It) is of generally rectangular shape, is provided with suitable apertures 22, 22 for receiving the prongs 6, 6 or prongs 2t), 20 of either the hook or eye member, respectively, and is provided with a' raised longitudinal portion 24 centrally of longitudinal shoulders 26, 26.

As will be observed in the sequential illustrations FIG- "URES 7-10, the prongs 6, 6 or, Ztl, 2b of the hook or eye,

i body 18 of the eye member or the base 4 of the hook member. In'this manner, the eye member or the hook member, the fabric and the backing plate are securely interlocked and attachment of either member and plate to the fabric is accomplished as shown in FIGURE 10 of the drawings.

The instant applicator, the purpose of which is the accomplishment of the above fastening operation, is comprised of an elongate upper housing 28 of substantially inverted U-shaped configuration having a top wall 3% and vertically oriented side walls 32, 34, side wall 34 having an opening 36 longitudinally disposed therem.

Door '33, disposed within said opening is slidably mounted within said opening, grooves 40, 42 being adapted to slidab-ly receive tongues 44, 46 provided edge- 'hase portions protrude'beyond edges 7b,. 72 and 7f}, 76 of vertical sides 54, 56 and 58, till, i' speCtively, prot uding end as having a stepped portion extending central-- ly therefrom, said stepped portion being capable of reg istry with aperture Idiot said hookjrnember' 2 when-said hook member is positioned for the fastening operation. With reference to FIGURES 3 and 40f the drawings it is seen that anchormembers 50 and '52 "are disposed iin said bracket and extending portion as shown,

mutually superposed relation depending from said top wall 36 of said upper housing 28, rivets 80, 82 being employed to secure said anchor members thereto. As will be further seen, said fiat base portions 62, 64 are disposed in spaced parallel relation, space 84 being provided there- 'between to removably receive hook 2 or eye 16 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, respectively.

As will be readily appreciated, movement of .door or closure member 38 toward the rearward pivotal region of the device, will thus provide access to said-space 84 so provided, the positioning of either .a hook or an-eye member therein being conveniently accomplished. Once positioned, however, it will be further appreciated that movementof said door or closure member 38 to the forward end 8d of said opening 36 will :retain said hook or eye member within said space as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the inside surface '88 of said members against outward movement pending accomplishment of the fastening operation.

lower platform 90, provided with upwardly extending bracket 92 located at the rearward end thereof, cooperates with downwardly extending portion 94 rearwardly of said upper housing to provide a pivot hinge thereat through the pivotal support action of pin 96 extending through -Leaf spring 98, disposed between said upper housing and said lower platform in the region of pin 96 normally urges said housing and platform apart, thus'enabling automatic restoration of the device to the position assumed prior to the fastening operation.

Recessed region 160 provided within said lower platform, contains spacing divider 102 therein, said spacing divider being effective in appropriately positioning said backing plat 10 depending upon the unitable member with which it is to be interlocked. That is, in the event it is desired to unite said backing plat with a .hook member suitably positioning within space 84 provided between fiatba-se portions 62.and .64, said backing plate would be placed .within side 164 of said recessed region 100, the edge '25 of one of said longitudinal shoulders .26, 26 abutting against spacing .divider 192, prongs 6, -6-of said hook member thereby being in alignment with'apertures 22, 22 of said backing plate. In :the event it bc'desired to unite said baekingplate with an eyemember, said backing plate would be placed over saidspacing divider 102, raisedlongitudinal portion 24 of said backing plate being seated upon said spacing divider, longitudinal shoulders 26, 26 being positioned to straddle said spacing divider, prongs 29, 2-0 of said hook member thereby being in alignment with apertures '22, 22 of said backing plate. Hence, it will be appreciated said recessed region 100 is adapted to removably receive a backing plate 10 in dual position, the prongs of a hook or an eye member being in alignment with the apertures of the suitably placed backing plate, said hook or eye being retained within the space provided between the flat base portions of the anchor members, retention therein being positive by dint of the door-or closure member.

In operation, as .previously suggested, the door 38 is moved to the rearward position, access thereby being given to the anchor members through exposed opening 6; a hook or an eye memberisJinserted within space 84 ysuperposedover the recessedaregion, and the upper housing ispivoted downwardly, slight pressure being required to effectuate crimping of prongs 6, 6 or prongs 20, 2t) to the back ofsaid backing plate, whereupon the hook or eye member, the fabric and the backing .plate are securely interlocked and attachment of the said member and plate to the fabric is accomplished.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator for fastening a pair of unitable members to sheet material comprised of an upper housing and a lower platform, said upper housing and lower platform being pivotally related, a pair of U-shaped anchor members depending from said upper housing, each U-shaped anchor member having two vertical sides and a flat base portion perpendicularly extending therebetween, said flat base portion having one end thereof protruding beyond the edges of said two vertical sides, said U-shaped anchor members :being disposed in mutuallysuperposed relation, said flat base portions thereof being disposed in spaced :parallel relation, one ,of said unitable members being removably received within the space so provided between said fiat :base portions, a recessed region provided within said lower platform, said recess being adapted to removsably receive the other ofsaid unitable members.

2. An applicator for fastening a pair of unitable members to sheet material comprised of an elongate upper housing and a lower platform, said upper housing being of substantially inverted 'U-shaped configuration and having a top wall and two vertically oriented side walls, one side wall having an opening longitudinally disposed therein, and a slidable door provided within said opening, said upper housing and lower platform being pivotally related; .a pair of lJ-shaped anchor members depending from said upper housing and attached to the :top wall thereof, each U-shaped anchor member having two vertical sides and a flat base portion perpendicularly extending therebetween, said "flat base portion having one end thereof protruding beyond the edges of :said :two vertical sides, said U-shaped anchor .members being disposed in mutually superposed relation, said :flat base portions thereof being disposed .in spaced .parallel relation, one of said unitable members being removably received within the space so provided between said fiat base portions, said'slidable door providing access to said pair of U-shaped anchor members for placement of one of said unitable members within said space so provided, and further providing retention means for securing said unitable member within ,said space; and a recessed region provided within said lower platform, said recessed region being adapted to removably receive the other of said unitable members.

'3. An applicator :for fastening a pair of unitable members to sheet material comprised of an upper housing and a lower platform, said .upper'housing and saidlower'platform being pivotally related, said upper housing being of substantially inverted U-shaped configuration and having a top wall and'two vertically oriented side Walls, one side wall having an opening therein, closure means movably associated with said opening; a .pair of U-shaped anchor members depending from said upperihousing andattached to the top wall .thereof, each U-shaped anchor member having two vertical sides and a fiat base portion perpendicularly extending therebetween, said fiat base .portion having one end thereof protruding beyond the edges of said two vertical sides, said iU-shaped anchor members being disposed in mutually superposed relation, said flat base portions thereof being disposed in spaced parallel relation, one of said unitable members'beingremovably receivable within the space so:provided, said opening'providing access to said pair of U-shaped anchor members for placement of one of said unitable members within said space so .provided, said closure means securing said unitable member within said space; and a recessed region provided within said lower platform, said recessed region being adapted to removably receive the other of said unitable members.

a top' wall and two vertically oriented side walls, one side end thereof protruding beyond the edges of said two verti-' cal sides, said U-shaped anchor members being disposed in mutually superposed relation, said flat base portions thereof being disposed in spaced parallel relation, one of said unitable members being removably received within the space so provided between said flat base portions, said retention means being adapted to removably retain one of said unitable members; and a recessed region provided within said lower platform, said recessed region being adapted to removably receive the other of said unitable members.

5. An applicator for fastening a pair of unitable members to sheet material comprised of an upper housing and a lower platform; a pair of U-shaped anchor members depending from said upper housing, each U-shaped anchor member having two vertical sides and a flat base portion perpendicularly extending therebetween, said flat base portion having one end thereof protruding beyond the edges of said two vertical sides, the protruding end of one of said U-shaped anchor members having a stepped portion extending centrally therefrom, said U-shaped anchor members being disposed in mutually superposed relation, said flat base portions thereof being disposed in spaced parallel relation; and a recessed region provided within said lower platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,720,651 Littman Oct. 18, 1955 

1. AN APPLICATOR FOR FASTENING A PAIR OF UNITABLE MEMBERS TO SHEET MATERIAL COMPRISED OF AN UPPER HOUSING AND A LOWER PLATFORM, SAID UPPER HOUSING AND LOWER PLATFORM BEING PIVOTALLY RELATED, A PAIR OF U-SHAPED ANCHOR MEMBERS DEPENDING FROM SAID UPPER HOUSING, EACH U-SHAPED ANCHOR MEMBER HAVING TWO VERTICAL SIDES AND A FLAT BASE PORTION PERPENDICULARLY EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, SAID FLAT BASE PORTION HAVING ONE END THEREOF PROTRUDING BEYOND THE EDGES OF SAID TWO VERTICAL SIDES, SAID U-SHAPED ANCHOR MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED IN MUTUALLY SUPERPOSED RELATION, SAID FLAT BASE PORTIONS THEREOF BEING DISPOSED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION, ONE OF SAID UNITABLE MEMBERS BEING REMOVABLY RECEIVED WITHIN THE SPACE SO PROVIDED BETWEEN SAID FLAT BASE PORTIONS, A RECESSED REGION PROVIDED WITHIN SAID LOWER PLATFORM, SAID RECESS BEING ADAPTED TO REMOVABLY RECEIVE THE OTHER OF SAID UNITABLE MEMBERS. 